A new detective novel. I really enjoyed reading a new detective story. By author M J LEE
DI Thomas Ridpath is a breath of fresh air in Manchester CID unit and helped get of the worst several killer's of the streets.
Years later did he make a wrong decision?
With health issues that he has to deal with and a new job which he doesn't want,, can he help still catch a killer and save his colleague and his job?

Great read. Not my usual genre but I was gripped throughout. I will definitely look out for more from this author and will be recommending to others.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this amazing book....what a book

this author can write a brilliant murder mystery...

a convicted felon
a coroner court opening an old case
a detective inspector on remission for cancer assigned to the coroners court to oversea this cold case,but where is the body...

a fast paced thriller with many red herrings, couldnt put the book down...cant wait for the next in this series...

my first book by this author and it wont be the last

Had me hooked from the first page. Well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Real page turner

This grabbed my attention in the first chapter and didn’t let it go. Ridpath is a great character even though he had me shouting at my kindle. I liked the way the old and new cases were linked. A few surprises along the way and a great set up at the end for a follow on book. What more could you ask for? Highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher, Canelo, for the ARC
This was a really good, thrilling, read. There are well-written brief passages describing the torturous activities of a serial killer - sufficient for the reader to be able to identify which body is which once they are found later in the story, as I found timelines difficult to get my head around at first. From Ridpath's dramatic arrest of, and subsequent conviction of a serial killer, as a young PC, the story jumps really to the beginning - ten years later. I found that 'gap' a little disconcerting as the connecting threads only slowly emerged through the 'present' story. Was there an innocent man locked up?
The plot lines merged slowly through office politics, Ridpath's illness and, in particular, his working relationship with the Coroner Margaret Challiner. The writing flowed, kept a steady pace, but was interjected with moments of frenetic activity which then dispersed into inspirational detective-work.
Personally, my mind was conjuring-up several different scenarios involving cover-ups - especially when investigative/ administrative paperwork goes missing, but I really didn't see 'The Twist In The Tale'.
There are two main sub-stories - Ridpath's marriage, and then........well, you need to read the ending for that!
Thank you M J Lee. I'd like to read more of Ridpath and possibly, if you take that path, of his working with the Coroner.
Very Enjoyable!

DI Ridpath is back from long-term sick leave, and finds himself on a temporary assignment as a coroner's officer.

Ten years ago, he put away the Beast Of Manchester. But now more bodies with similar injuries appear. And when the Beast's last victim's body is exhumed and the coffin is empty, an new investigation begins. As well as the missing body, records are missing. There is definitely some sort of inside assistance to the killer....

A true cat and mouse tale about “The Beast”, a serial killer who was locked up 10 years ago for a series of murders, but was the right man convicted? Very well written book that had me gripped from the first chapter through to the last. Can’t wait to be able to read the next instalment if he DI Ridpath series!

I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the last page. Gripped throughout. Never guessed the ending which is a great plus point. Look forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

This book was a little like the curate's egg, what was good was very good but there was something familiar about the main premise of the serial killer and his reasoning but not his identity, which was a surprise even though, with hindsight, the clues were there. That said the book was a first class read, and take away the aforementioned familiarity and it works on all levels.

Tom Ridpath' s reason for being out of the loop due to ill health was original and either very well researched or experienced first hand. The feelings of both Ridpath and those around him were detailed and emotive but didn't overwhelm any part of the rest of the storyline.

The details of the crimes pulled no punches and if you are a fan of quiet, cosy crime this may not be for you. These details however, didn't feel gratuitous but did show how ruthless, manipulative and obviously deranged the killer was. In some ways the denouement was the quietest part of the story but it had to be in order for it to work. The drama and excitement had already occurred and again worked very well.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this novel thanks to Netgalley and at first was going to award it 3 stars. As I began thinking about this review however, I started to realise that although I had felt a sense of deja vu  on one part the rest of the story was original and very well written. The politics of the workplace was laid bare and appeared up to date with the problems local and regional police forces face on a daily basis.

I would recommend this book and look forward to a sequel.

It's a well thought out book with plenty of action and a certain amount of horror.
However, I could not warm to the central figure, Tom Ridpath, who on return from a serious illness finds his detective's job demoted to being a Coroner's assistant. He is involved in office politics but also in healthissues which impinge on his private life.
There seemed to be little humour or lightness in the story and I have to admit that I struggled to get involved.
Thanks to Net Galley for a review copy.

The first in a series l hope of very successful police crime drama set in Manchester like the coroner slant read the book over the course of two days and did not loose interest once

The ‘blurb’ says nail-biting and it’s nit wrong! Great book, riveting from the first chapter to the last.

This is a solid police procedural drama, set in Manchester where a DI returns to work following sick leave to find he's been demoted as part of his return. Ten years ago he was on the up and up, but, no longer.

His new temporary post leads him to missing bodies, missing records and murder and he gets caught up in the politics and tension between the police and his new role in the coroners office.

This is the first in a series and I thought it was an OK read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the opportunity to preview.